BARANGAY OFFICIALS enjoy today much larger powers and prerogatives they did not enjoy in the past. They have representation in city, municipal, provincial and national bodies. They are full-fledged agents of government, where, before, they were mere auxiliaries and supernumeraries in government administration. No doubt, their measure of authority can still be improved. But that can only come when our barangays fully prove themselves as the performing frontline troops of the government amid this COVID19 pandemic. Recognizing the role of the barangays in the fight against COVID-19, President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to see to it that the barangays are following government mandated health guidelines. He said barangay officials should be the “game changer” at the battleground.
Being a barangay official is a full-time job. I am aware that most of our barangay officials, particularly the barangay captains, kagawads, secretaries, treasurers, purok leaders render 24-hour service to their constituents. As such, their present honorarium may not be enough for everyday needs.
Barangay officials are a fundamental pillar in the realm of public administration as they tend to the needs of their constituents with accessibility and immediacy that officials in larger government units cannot address.
A barangay, sometimes referred to its archaic name barrio, is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district, or ward. In metropolitan areas, the term often refers to an inner city neighborhood, a suburb, or a suburban neighborhood. The word barangay originated from “balangay”, a kind of boat used by a group of Austronesian peoples when they migrated to the Philippines. As of March 2020, there are 42,046 barangays throughout the Philippines.
Barangays serve as the primary planning and implementing unit of government programs and projects. However, these public officials do not receive adequate compensation for the public service that they provide. Receiving meager stipend, these barangay officials are left with little to no ability for any potential of savings. This is especially concerning given how many of our barangay officials maintain their position as their lone profession to better focus on their role as public servants. As a result of the lack of financial stability provided by their position, many barangay officials often struggle to get by after taking their leave from public service. They have no social security and are forced to seek alternative avenues of income for their day-to-day expenses instead of enjoying the benefits of their years in public service.
In answer to this concern, Senator Miguel Zubiri filed a bill, Senate Bill No. 306, which seeks to grant retirement benefits to barangay officials who have rendered nine (9) years of consecutive service or three terms of public service. Once these officials are socially secure and stable, they will be free to devote themselves more fully to the demands of their position, and the State will be able to encourage a more effective and vibrant brand of leadership in barangays throughout the nation.
This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Officials Retirement Benefits Act of 2019.” All elective and appointive barangay officials who have rendered a consecutive period of nine (9) years or three terms of honorable service as barangay official and have opted for retirement shall receive retirement benefits provided in this Act. A barangay official entitled to retirement benefits under this Act shall receive a monthly pension for life amounting to not less than sixty five percent (65%) of the monthly average honoraria, allowances and other emoluments authorized by law or by city, municipal or barangay ordinance.
Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) shall establish and administer an appropriate system under which barangay officials shall enjoy retirement benefits. The GSIS shall undertake actuarial study to determine the funding requirement for the operation and maintenance of the retirement system. The amount so determined shall be initially charged to the appropriations of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the retirement system, shall be included in the annual budget of the municipality or city to which the barangay belongs. The initial appropriations provided by the DILG and the subsequent annual budgets provided by the municipal and city government for the operation and maintenance of the retirement system shall be released to the GSIS. The proposed bill was read on first reading and referred to the Committee(s) on Local Government; Government Corporations and Public Enterprises; and Finance.